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January 30, 2015

Once you reach your golden years, you no longer have that same pep in you as you did in your 20s and 30s. This may also be a good time to consider adopting a dog especially if you live alone or just with your spouse. This way, you have a friend that will listen to […]

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January 21, 2015

One of the biggest misfortunes of being a pet owner is that we can’t grow old with our furry companion. The fact that they age seven dog years for every human year just seems unfair. This is all the more reason to cherish your furry friend while it’s around. There are, however, several dog species […]

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October 17, 2014

Shedding is the bane of dog owners anywhere, and for new dog owners shedding can be shocking and even worrisome. Are you worried about your dog shedding in the autumn and turning into a hairless dog like the Chinese Crested? Fear not. Table of Contents 1. Why do dogs shed? 2. Which dog breeds shed […]

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August 24, 2011

According to a recent article of USA Today, the number of dogs being stolen has risen dramatically in 2011.

Stealing dogs with the intention of demanding a ransom from the owner is not
a new phenomenon. In fact, the first ever dognapping case was recorded in 1934. The stolen Boston Terrier was returned to its
owner after 5 long months so the story had a happy ending.

Dogs become part of our families. They will be just like a small brother or
sister to the kids. And when they are kidnapped and there is a chance that
money can buy them back, we pay gladly – provided that we have the money
demanded, that is.

Over time, as conformation showing became more popular, show dogs became the
targets of thieves. It’s easy to see that if the owner of a regular dog is
willing to pay thousands of dollars in ransom, the owner of a valuable show dog
might pay tens of thousands of dollars to get his pooch back.

Dognapping – not only for ransom but reselling, experiments and a number of
other purposes – has become widespread in the United States by the 60’s. So
much so that it had actually become one of the most talked about issues of the
time. The public dismay and the floods of letters demanding something to be
done put enormous pressure on the senate. As a result, the “Dognapping Law”,
which became the Animal Welfare Act of 1966 was born.

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July 12, 2010

1. A dog’s parents will never visit you. 2. A dog loves you when you leave your clothes on the floor. 3. A dog limits its time in the bathroom to a quick drink. 4. A dog never expects you to telephone. 5. A dog will not get mad at you if you forget its birthday. 6. A dog does not care about the previous dogs in your life. 7. A dog does not get mad at you if you pet another dog. 8. A dog never expects flowers on Valentine’s Day. 9. The later you arrive, the happier a dog is to see you…. 10. A dog does not shop.

This has to be shared! Although I am a gal, I still find it funny. I came upon it , while reading another puppy blog, called “Miniature Yorshire Terrier” Blog. I do hope they won’t mind me quoting them, but this is just too cute.

So what to do when you have to listen to incessant barking? Not only your sleep, but your neighbors’ nerves will also be affected. Although one understands that barking is natural for dogs, there comes a time when enough is enough. What to do then? Training might help…but an anti-barking dog collar might do the trick as well.

What is an anti-barking dog collar you ask? Well this is special type of collar that triggers a reaction out of a dog…and after repetitively negatively stimulating the dog with every bark, the dog slowly but surely learns not to bark. There are different types of anti bark collars available. There are dog collars that deliver a light shock to your dog as a reaction to barking. There is also a type of dog collar that sprays mists of citronella. This smell is not welcomed by dogs and they sooner stop barking than continue smelling the fumes of citronella around them. This is a more humane solution because it does not inflict pain to the dog.

So how effective is an anti barking dog collar, you ask?

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July 12, 2010

Just because you live in a small home or apartment doesn’t mean you can’t have a dog. There are a lot of small toy and companion breeds that can make excellent pets for people with small flats or homes. However, you should remember that even small dogs like variety and exercise, so be prepared to take your small dog for walks. Once you have made that commitment to yourself, you can choose which breed of dog is most suitable to you and your lifestyle.

Small dog breeds make the cutest puppies, and one of the cutest small dog puppies around is the Maltese. This popular small dog breed usually only grows no more than six or seven pounds in weight. It has a beautiful white coat. The Maltese is a very ancient dog breed and has a strong constitution. However, don’t keep it in very hot areas, due to its thick coat. This is a very playful little dog. A Maltese makes a great companion if you like lively little pets and enjoy the grooming chores as well.

Another very cute long haired small dog breed is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel . This lovely small dog is as elegant as its name and weighs about twice as much as a Maltese. The Cavalier is a friendly small dog that gives a lifetime of loyal attachment. This is the ideal dog if you prefer to lead a quiet life.

Top of the line in long haired small dog breeds is the Lowchen. If you enjoy spending long hours brushing, and don’t mind the hefty price tag of this little dog, then the Lowchen is for you. The beautiful `Little Lion’ dog can cost anything from $1000 and upwards. The Lowchen is a true indoors and it also seems to suffer from`separation anxiety’ so don’t get this dog breed if you are away for long hours every day.

If you prefer a little dog with a shorter coat,

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July 12, 2010

World’s smallest dog….. The smallest dog in history was a tiny Yorkshire Terrier from Blackburn, England. At two years of age and fully grown this little dude was an incredible 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) tall by 3.75 inches (9.5cm) long! He weighed only 4 ounces (113grams)! He was approximately the size of a matchbox.

Gotta love that face….

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July 12, 2010

Being very portable, easily adaptable to different climates and more affordable in maintenance, it is no wonder that small breed dogs are growing in popularity. Noted for being lively and energetic, they make terrific pets for apartments and are comfort dogs as well. People living alone or the elderly feel better with them around. The following small dogs are popular for their uniqueness.

Smaller dogs tend to have a longer life expectancy and not subjected to health concerns of big dogs such as hip dysplasia or arthritis. However keep in mind that smaller dogs don’t mean smaller responsibilities. They still need attention, love and visits to your local veterinarian.

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July 12, 2010

Nature rewarded me with a love for dogs and an allergy for cats. Had it been the other way around, I might not be writing this article right now. Yet, although I steer clear of cats – for mostly this reason- I would find it unbearable if I were allergic to dogs. Yet some people are not so lucky, since they are allergic to dogs as well. For those dog lovers out there who suffer from allergies, upon high-fiving a doggy-paw, there really is a cure. A cure? Well…..apart from the anti-histamine tablets and nose-drops to alleviate post-nasal drip, the trick really lies in finding the right dog – and more correctly, the right dog breed – for you.

What are the reactions that cause humans to suffer from allergies? The allergic response is triggered when our immune system reacts to a perceived threat. Some people have a bad reaction to dander (flaky dead skin cells), saliva or secretion from the sebaceous glands of their dogs. Allergy sufferers can also react to the dust, pollen and dirt that gets caught up and spread around by their dogs.

So what is a hypoallergenic dog breed? Well, hypoallergenic dog breeds, are those breeds that are considered the most suitable for those who suffer from allergies. Although they do produce some dander, the amount is so small that very few people experience allergy symptoms when in contact with these breeds. Hypoallergenic dog breeds are usually single-coated, non-shedding (or low-shedding), generally smaller dogs, those dogs that retain the dander due to their curly coat, or are naked!

A list below shows those breeds that are best suited for allergy sufferers. If you have your sights set on another breed, then the best test to determine whether your allergies will be affected, is to spend 20 minutes in a closed off and confined area with the dog. Cars tend to work well for this. This is a simple test which can save the owner from heartbreak in the future.

However, do bear in mind, that no dog is completely 100% hypoallergenic. The ones below only have a much lower dander producing and shedding activity than the other 100 or so breeds and are thus recommended.